The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind, - June 29, 2019 - After a back and forth affair at Oil City Stadium, the Northwest Indiana Oilmen were able to defeat the Crestwood Panthers by a score of 16-9. Left-hander Nathan DeLoian (Carson-Newman College / Mokena, Ill.) took the mound of the Oilmen and right-hander Matthew Manous (University of Colorado / Munster, Ind.) started for the Panthers.

The game began in grand fashion for the Oilmen as they scored five runs in the bottom of the first and ended Manous’ night early, thanks in part to a double from Tommy Farrell (University of Illinois-Chicago / Chicago, Ill.) that drove in Hunter Ryan. (Purdue Northwest / Hebron Ind.)

The Panthers would mount a comeback in the top of the sixth inning, scoring six runs to take back the lead. Three of those runs coming on a Maurey Garrett (Heartland CC / Flossmoor, Ill.) double down the third base line. 

However, the Oilmen would tie the game in the fifth and open up a 9-8 lead in the bottom sixth. The Panthers would equalize in the top of the seventh, but the Oilmen would score four runs in the bottom of the seventh and three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to put the game out of the Panthers’ reach.

The game was not without officiating controversy. A couple of calls, including a strike three call against Malik Peters (Northern Illinois University / Calumet City, Ill.) after he was hit by a pitch from Connor McCloskey (Beloit College / Chicago, Ill.), did not go the Oilmen’s way.

“The team was always focused on what’s next,” Oilmen manager Kevin Tyrrell said. “We showed some incredible mental toughness. It would have been easy to start complaining when the calls weren’t going our way, but I liked the mental fortitude the team showed tonight.”

Among the top performers for the Oilmen offensively was first baseman Joe Rycerz. (Saint Xavier University / Schererville, Ind.) Rycerz finished the game with three hits in four at-bats and four RBIs for the Oilmen including a double that brought in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh.

“After Rycerz had an issue with his back, his swing changed a bit,” Tyrell said. “But he got into the batting cages earlier today and was able to work it out. He got right back to stinging the ball the way he was before the injury.”

Jacob Anderson (Rockhurst University / Munster, Ind.) performed well beyond expectations in his four-inning outing in relief. Ge gave up two runs on six hits while walking only three on his way to his first win of the season.

“Anderson hadn’t pitched in the two weeks prior to this outing,” Tyrrell said. “But between innings, he made a mechanical change after working with pitching coach Kyle Klossak and he overcame some big difficulties. I’m proud of the work he did on the mound tonight.”

Anderson came out of the game with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning after a blister on his hand ruptured. Center-fielder Clay Thompson (Oakland University / Schereville, Ind.) would come in to record the final two outs, recording one strikeout and facing only two batters.

The Oilmen square off against a red-hot Southland Vikings squad on Saturday, June 29 at Oil City Stadium for Police and Fire Appreciation Night. Be sure to visit www.nwioilmen.com for ticket information and pricing. Blake Toman and Will Trubshaw will have the call on the Northwest Indiana Oilmen Broadcasting Network accessible via Facebook Live.